Intel announces super-fast optical cable interface - Light Peak

by Sylvie Barak on 23 September 2009, 19:16

Tags: Intel (NASDAQ:INTC)

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Partnering up

The firm is currently in talks with several industry organizations - including Sony, Foxlink, Corning, eLaser, Foxconn, Avago, SAE, Insphere, Foci and Iptronics - to try to build a spec, but as those who worked on USB 3.0 can testify, that's easier said than done.

Still, there are high hopes the industry will really pull together here, especially considering the advantages Light Peak would offer, including  super-fast external storage, the possibility for SSD or HDD arrays to transfer at 10Gb/s and faster, advanced docking, PC-to-PC high-speed connection and more.

"I think it's a great opportunity to unify electronic interconnects for everything," Jim McGregor of Instat told HEXUS, adding, "It would be nice to go to a single interface for displays, for peripherals, for p2p, especially knowing that copper has its limits."

Intel says Light Peak components should be ready to ship in 2010, with the firm saying it will provide the controller chip, and is working with optical component manufacturers to supply the optical components, cables, and connectors. But realistically, an industry-wide standard isn't likely to appear anytime soon, with analysts predicting it may even be some five years out.

"It's more of a labs project right now," confirmed McGregor. This is one lab project, however, we'd dearly like to see in the real world very soon indeed.

 

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HEXUS Forums :: 14 Comments

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It's a great idea, but can they also leave us with USB as well?

Why?

Well I don't want to have batteries in my cabled mouse or keyboard. I also can't charge my phone over an optical connection, but I can with USB. 5v and 500mA+ is pretty much a standard for loads of things now.
I see no reason why you couldn't have a powered version of Light Peak. Just have a copper cable to carry power and the optical for the signal, all housed in the same plastic sheath. The cable could still be as long as needed within reason since the copper wouldn't actually be carrying a signal.
Funkstar
It's a great idea, but can they also leave us with USB as well?

Why?

Well I don't want to have batteries in my cabled mouse or keyboard. I also can't charge my phone over an optical connection, but I can with USB. 5v and 500mA+ is pretty much a standard for loads of things now.

Let them devolop the technology before you doubt it will ya?
Wow, I didn't know USB 3 was only limited to 3 meter cable lengths. That kinda puts a damper on it being used for any sort of high definition video transfer over anything but the shortest distances.

This Optical Cable sounds good, but with USB 3 devices still probably a couple of years off from becoming mainstream, I doubt we'd see it any time soon, even if they did get it out of the door as early as 2010. I also wonder if the “low cost” still wouldn't be more than ordinary copper cables..
Sounds like a great idea, but i'd only buy Monster optical cable with extra shielding.